Callie M > Recent Status Updates

Okay, actually, readable? And, enjoyable? Let's see if the postmodernism gets to me...

The content is amazing. But my god, it is so, so dry! Anyway, finished Judaism. I'll see how Christianity is. This may end up being a DNF for now...

Third narrative was very funny. Wallis' obsession is so unhinged it becomes comical. Just when I thought I was out of this book, his insanity brought me back in.

Ugh, okay, two unreliable narrators in a row is a bit tiring. Especially when the second one actually sucked - like, he was the worst... Two more to go!

Ah, this book is really fun! I hope the other characters are as good as Mr. Cola.

Quality first transitions into quantity? What a plot twist!

Okay, here we go again! Second attempt

Finished the history of Logic section. V good summary!

Okay, the grammar refresher was a slog. But it setup the rhetorical section perfectly.

Hm, perhaps I should have anticipated this would be a somewhat dry read...

So that's what a predicate is!

Pretty persuasive 🤔

1910: Lenin and Krupskaya visit Laura and her husband Paul Lafargue - Krupskaya can hardly believe she is speaking with Marx's daughter. 1 year later, they commit suicide by pact to avoid old age. Lenin gives a speech at mass procession funeral, calling it the closing of an era. 6 years later October revolution. "Freddy was the only one of Marx's children to live to see it." He would die in 1929.

1883-1897: Lenchen moves in with Engels - she seems a solid support upon which the Marx family rested. Second international is launched. Lenchen dies, Engels gives beautiful eulogy. Highgate cemetery has so much history many walk right by... Eleanor Marx is incredible - a great agitator and organiser! A kind sister to Freddy. Engels dies. Eleanor commits suicide 3 years later. Aveling dies, good riddance.

1871-1883: IWMA shuttered. Semi-retirement. Many visitors from socialist movement. Write Gotha Programme & Anti Duhring. Marx loves going on spa days and trips to Isle of Wight with members of family. Marx seems a fun grandad. Longuet and Lafargue do not impress Marx politically or personally! Jenny dies, Marx is heartbroken. Jennychen dies, and that is it, Marx dies shortly after, sat in chair by fire. Poor Engels!

1864-1871: He finished Capital! Laura assisted research, Jennychen acted as secretary, Eleanor lightened his spirit. Engels involved heavily - essentially coauthor. And... Sales "don't even cover the cost of cigars smoked writing it"! Engels bought out of family business, he is so happy to be free! Paris Commune changes everything - Marx & IWMA household names. Flourens murdered by police - bastards.

1855-1864: Soho to Hampstead. Marx's book hardly sells (~40 copies), a book slandering him is a global hit (~3000 copies), develops horrible boils from stress, Jenny gets smallpox, Engels near broke, Heine dies, Mary dies, Lupus dies. "As you can see, I am tormented as Job, though not as god-fearing". Marx's mum dies... Which means large inheritance! Marxes move again. Invite Engels to stay with them. True comrades!

1855-1864: Soho to Hampstead. Marx's book hardly sells (~40 copies), a book slandering him becomes a global hit (~3000 copies), he develops painful boils out of stress, Jenny gets smallpox, Engels near bankrupt, Heine dies, Mary dies, Lupus dies. "I feel I am tested like Job. Only I remain an atheist". Marx's mum dies... Which means large inheritance! Marxes move again. Invite Engels to live with them. True comrades!

1849-1855: This is a completely harrowing period for the family. Crushing poverty. The Prussian government shipwreck every effort to raise funds. The arrests of comrades. The deaths of three children. Poor little Edgar... Engels throughout this period remains a shining star - it is hard to overstate the comradeship he, Jenny, and Karl shared. Marx's children would call him "Uncle Angels" - that about sums it up.

1848-49: Did not realise Marx and Engels were really so involved in this revolution! Engels robbing armouries to give weapons to workers, the Neue Rheinische Zeitung as a revolutionary paper (with the whole staff arrested and exiled multiple times!), the trial of the communists, and more! And of course, ends in Marx and Engels expelled by Germany... Then Belgium... Then France! Next stop England

1843-1848: Marx & Jenny move to Paris after Prussian gov shutdown Marx's paper. Engels gets involved. Marx given arrest warrant for high treason back in Germany - oops. Joins League of the Just. Starts beef with everyone. Starts another paper in Paris. French government expel him to Belgium for said paper - oops. Wins over League to Communism. Jenny gives birth to 3 lil ones & helps Marx write a legible manifesto.